Large Scale Central

DCC Queries

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

OK guys…As I’m workign on my track plan…the electrical system is quickly becoming an octopus…wires here, wires there…I thought standard block wireing was the way to go, but it seems like its going to be a royal PITA…

So I was thinking…If now…I convert to DCC perhaps I can save a lot of headaches later…all those reversing switchs and on off toggles and selector toggles not to mention wire starts to add up…not to mention polarity reversers et al…

Whats a good starting set for DCC (I’ve been pointed atthe Digitrax Zephyer) that will work with On30? I have two, possibly three locomotives that are DCC ready (Bmann Shay and 2-8-0, possibly a Bmann 0-6-0 I build from an HO 4-6-0) How hard are decoders to install on older Non DCC ready stuff. About how 'spensive are extra decoders?

I noticed that some systems can control the loco fromthecommand panel, but I don;t wanna try switching from across the room, so I’m gonna need a wireless walk aorund too. Can the walkaround and the command panel be used at the same time?

And how bout reversing? How are things like Turntables and wyes handles through DCC? and what about Accessories like I have one hidden switch that will need to be thrown remotely, as well as a TT motor or two…how does power/control apply to them?

Sheesh…I’ve almost talked myself out of it already…

#2

Batteries…

#3

hehehehehe

#4

Bart,

Have a look at the MRC stuff (Prodigy)! By the sounds of it it will be plenty for your application. No sense gilding the lily!

#5

I’m a battery guy myself but I’ve seen the NCE stuff in action and it really seems to work very well.
Dave

#6

QSI QSI talk to bruce at Litchfield Station, or Tony at Tony’s train talk to Lou at tonys trains hes the tech guy!!!

#7

Bart, last summer I was where you are now. I was setting up my first outdoor railway and wanted info on DCC. I asked a lot of questions and got very few answers. There does not seem to be any difinative conclusion as to what DCC system or even if you should use DCC.
I finally decided on Easy DCC by CVP Products. They are the ones that produce the Air Wire remotes for battery power but they also make a DCC system. I think they are a small company that only sells Easy DCC directly, not through dealers.
Long story short…It worked right out of the box. I have about 400 feet of track. I bought 2 10amp boosters and 2 wireless remotes along with their control panel. I probably could have got by with one booster. The instruction manual is written in plain English and easy to understand. So far I am very happy.

#8

NCE, 5 amp system if just a few locos, or the 10 amp system. They have wired and wireless cabs, the nicest throttles around in my opinion, menu driven setup commands on the throttle.

Regards, Greg

#9

Try Digitrax. They have radio and it works along with the “landlocked” throttle. 8 amps, plenty I think
Mike

#10

Why the recommendations for the highpower DCC? Isn’t Bart planning on running just the On30 on DCC?

#11

Hehehe yeah I guess I forgot to mention that…the OUTDOOR line always has been Battery RC…this is for the Winter layout in On30 down in The Bunker…Seem Prodigy is the way to go…I actually stooped to picking up a copy of MR the other night to source parts and supplies…

#12

Bart,

With my recent adventures in operating, I have worked on two different Digitrax controlled HO DCC layouts. Seems like nice equipment, but in each case the owners had to direct me and redirect me how to resolve the problems or individual uniquenesses. In both cases, we had the “all stops” as something had to be resolved by the owner with a system glitch.

Since currently messing with my under layout HO/On30 trackage, I have noticed the inconvienience of the tethered throttles of the MRC Model 20’s that power that old trackage. I have thought about hooking up an Aristo TE 27 mhz throttle to allow being with my engines without moving a throttle. It seems like a simple resolution using existing large scale solutions. There is also no reason to remember another protocol or solution.

Just my simple fix and I sure don’t want to have to do more electrical surgery on engines or put them on my “to do list”. Playing sometimes becomes too much like work. Working to avoid that.

#13

hehehe…No but then I have to go through that wireing octopus to the track. Thats waht I’m trying to avoid…I’m actually running with a TE hooked in through the power pack already!

#14
Bart Salmons said:
hehehe....No but then I have to go through that wireing octopus to the track. Thats waht I'm trying to avoid....I'm actually running with a TE hooked in through the power pack already!
So what happened to the RCS trackside R/C I gave you to play with? ;)
#15

I haven’t found it yet! I packed it up ‘safe’ with a few other things for the move, and they haven’t turned up in my assortment of junque. Pity too cause I like it ALOT better than the TE, particularly the steps in the throttle, and the ability to control accessories right from the handheld. Since O scale and Office were in the same room at the old house I’m hoping some of my stuff is just mixed in with the office stuff not yet unpacked! Never fear…theres is room for a shelf layout in the Library, and hopefully it will be radio controlled…